Changes to Verizon's Channel Lineup

We’re seeing some questions about changes to the channel lineup, and we’d like to explain what’s happening. We’re removing a number of channels from packages we no longer offer so that we can provide our most popular channels in our lowest-cost packages. The channels selected were less popular than others in the affected packages.

We don’t often make these kinds of changes. But, sometimes changes need to be made and we try to ensure they benefit the majority of customers.

For example, in the last year alone we’ve added more than 20 new national channels including HD channels like AMC HD and WE TV HD, plus more than 30 regional channels. We’ve also increased the monthly video-on-demand service to 18,000 titles including 2,800 in HD, added free Wi-Fi access for qualifying Verizon broadband customers, and introduced new interactive features like our Facebook and Twitter social media applications and widgets from Kodak Gallery and HSN Shop By Remote.

All of the channels that are moving are still available in other FiOS TV packages, and we’ll work with you if you want to change to one of our new packages.

Re: Changes to Verizon's Channel Lineup

Isn't deleting HD channels from one package (HD Extreme) reducing that package's "product" even though the "price" may not change? For those of us with price guarantees, deleting channels is clearly reducing the content of the product -- providing less of the product for the same price. Verizon could continue to remove more and more channels from the original HD Extreme package. Is this really consistent with a price guarantee? I don't believe so. If I buy 500 minutes of cellular phone time for a fixed, guaranteed price, the provider cannot reduce the number of minutes, charge the same price, and maintain that they have fulfilled the price guarantee. Likewise, Verizon provided a certain number of channels and committed to a price guarantee for those channels. Can they in good faith reduce that number of channels and maintain that they are fulfilling their price guarantee? I DON"T THINK SO!!! But a complaints to franchise authorities or a class action lawsuit might clarify.

Re: Changes to Verizon's Channel Lineup

DirecTV has done the same thing. I think if you look at the fine print in the contract, there is probably a clause allowing them to do that. I think it probably boils down to, "You were paying for package A. The content of that package may change per clause x.y." "Since you aren't paying per channel but for the package as a whole, there's no change in the price."

Re: Changes to Verizon's Channel Lineup

Isn't deleting HD channels from one package (HD Extreme) reducing that package's "product" even though the "price" may not change? For those of us with price guarantees, deleting channels is clearly reducing the content of the product -- providing less of the product for the same price. Verizon could continue to remove more and more channels from the original HD Extreme package. Is this really consistent with a price guarantee? I don't believe so. If I buy 500 minutes of cellular phone time for a fixed, guaranteed price, the provider cannot reduce the number of minutes, charge the same price, and maintain that they have fulfilled the price guarantee. Likewise, Verizon provided a certain number of channels and committed to a price guarantee for those channels. Can they in good faith reduce that number of channels and maintain that they are fulfilling their price guarantee? I DON"T THINK SO!!! But a complaints to franchise authorities or a class action lawsuit might clarify.

The TOS are subject to change at any time. If you go here you can read the current TOS.

Subject to Applicable Law, we reserve the right to change, re-arrange, add, delete or other modify the Service at any time, with or without prior notice to you, including changing rearranging or otherwise modifying our Programming packages, the selections in those packages, the Equipment, and any other features, products and services that we offer."

We may not like them but that is what we get when we sign a bundle package, and agree to the Terms of Service. They are sublect to change. All we can do is complain and hope it makes a difference.

The portion that says "Subject to Applicable Law", you need to be a lawyer and know the local, state and federal laws that apply, also the franchise agreement in your area. Most of us are not lawyers, and that goes to a companies advantage.

Re: Changes to Verizon's Channel Lineup

Since you mentioned the 'Free Wi-Fi access' - a few weeks back my wife clicked on a button to get this Verizon Wi-Fi access, and ever since then, the Mozilla Firefox browser has been unusable. When you bring up Firefox, it tries to start a 'Verizon Wi-Fi Client', gives an error message, and dies. I've tried removing the Verizon Wi-Fi client through the Windows 'Add or Delete Programs', by modifying the Windows start-up options, ... no matter what I try, I can't get rid of that Verizon Wi-Fi client trying to activate. So, my Firefox is DOA. Fortunately at least, the problem does not seem to affect MS Internet Explorer, so my wife is not totally dead in the water... but, we prefer Firefox. I don't have access to my wife's PC while I'm at work so not sure when I'll be able to get this resolved with Verizon technical support. All I can tell you is - we're definitely not happy about the situation!

Re: Changes to Verizon's Channel Lineup

If I buy 500 minutes of cellular phone time for a fixed, guaranteed price, the provider cannot reduce the number of minutes, charge the same price, and maintain that they have fulfilled the price guarantee. Likewise, Verizon provided a certain number of channels and committed to a price guarantee for those channels.

your analogy and outlook on this is flawed....

I wont bother to pick it apart....

but check this out

the OLD "FiOS TV Extreme HD" was the HIGHEST/BEST package that was offered at the time.... and had Up to 406 channels, up to 86 were in HD

NOW the HIGHEST/BEST package is the "FiOS TV Ultimate HD" which has Up to 439 channels, up to 97 are in HD..

Those 2 are the "comporable packages"

the CURRENT package that is LABLED as "FiOS TV Extreme HD" is actually the "mid tier" package which has up to

Up to 374 channels, up to 72 are in HD

the CURRENT "FiOS TV Extreme HD" actually has some HD channels, that the last one did not.... and of course doesnt have some channels that the old one did not.....

and your price garuntee.. was for the service you signed up for at that time... if you "rebundle" or change your service to another package, why would you expect the same price?... you made a change to your service

The OP bothere to take the time to show all of the FREE and EXTRA things that you get.... Sure some of them may not make any difference to you... but think on the flipside... some others may not be at all bothered by a few different channels, that they never watched in the first place

These changes were made for the masses... not for you in oarticular

if you dont like the changes, I can respect and empathize with that.... but the changes HAVE been made, and likely will NOT be changed back....

Re: Changes to Verizon's Channel Lineup

Since you mentioned the 'Free Wi-Fi access' - a few weeks back my wife clicked on a button to get this Verizon Wi-Fi access, and ever since then, the Mozilla Firefox browser has been unusable. When you bring up Firefox, it tries to start a 'Verizon Wi-Fi Client', gives an error message, and dies. I've tried removing the Verizon Wi-Fi client through the Windows 'Add or Delete Programs', by modifying the Windows start-up options, ... no matter what I try, I can't get rid of that Verizon Wi-Fi client trying to activate. So, my Firefox is DOA. Fortunately at least, the problem does not seem to affect MS Internet Explorer, so my wife is not totally dead in the water... but, we prefer Firefox. I don't have access to my wife's PC while I'm at work so not sure when I'll be able to get this resolved with Verizon technical support. All I can tell you is - we're definitely not happy about the situation!

Re: Changes to Verizon's Channel Lineup

We’re seeing some questions about changes to the channel lineup, and we’d like to explain what’s happening. We’re removing a number of channels from packages we no longer offer so that we can provide our most popular channels in our lowest-cost packages. The channels selected were less popular than others in the affected packages.

We don’t often make these kinds of changes. But, sometimes changes need to be made and we try to ensure they benefit the majority of customers.

For example, in the last year alone we’ve added more than 20 new national channels including HD channels like AMC HD and WE TV HD, plus more than 30 regional channels. We’ve also increased the monthly video-on-demand service to 18,000 titles including 2,800 in HD, added free Wi-Fi access for qualifying Verizon broadband customers, and introduced new interactive features like our Facebook and Twitter social media applications and widgets from Kodak Gallery and HSN Shop By Remote.

All of the channels that are moving are still available in other FiOS TV packages, and we’ll work with you if you want to change to one of our new packages.

Bill

It is good to see you posting here and getting active. It does good for you and good for us. We may not all be happy with the changes but changes happen every day everywhere. One thing I believe people are most unhappy about are the few changes that take channels out of the new Extreme line up, and bundle them with Premiums. MGM and the Hallmark movie Channels, not to mention sports. If there was perhaps Ulimate HD, and Ultimate HD with Movies perhaps we could understand. But why not just offer the premium channels like they were. It is difficult to understand or get the permium lineup you want. If you have Ultimate now you need to call to get stars with encore for another $10, most people don't know that unless they call or read the forums. Some people want all the HD but do not like the movie channels or showtime. Perhaps if you did that ,and then offered a bundle option called Ultimate Movies that included all the premiums you would make all the people happy. I remember Directv once offered a package with Everything.

Re: Changes to Verizon's Channel Lineup

I just think some of us are puzzled at the decision to add Hallmark Movie, Retirement Living, and a few other channels JUST to the Prime HD and Ultimate HD packages, the lowest and the highest tier. What if I wanted to watch one of those channels, but I had Extreme HD, the middle tier? It is absolutely crazy that Verizon would offer a channel on a lower package but not a higher package.

Re: Changes to Verizon's Channel Lineup

Since you mentioned the 'Free Wi-Fi access' - a few weeks back my wife clicked on a button to get this Verizon Wi-Fi access, and ever since then, the Mozilla Firefox browser has been unusable. When you bring up Firefox, it tries to start a 'Verizon Wi-Fi Client', gives an error message, and dies. I've tried removing the Verizon Wi-Fi client through the Windows 'Add or Delete Programs', by modifying the Windows start-up options, ... no matter what I try, I can't get rid of that Verizon Wi-Fi client trying to activate. So, my Firefox is DOA. Fortunately at least, the problem does not seem to affect MS Internet Explorer, so my wife is not totally dead in the water... but, we prefer Firefox. I don't have access to my wife's PC while I'm at work so not sure when I'll be able to get this resolved with Verizon technical support. All I can tell you is - we're definitely not happy about the situation!

I also use and like Firefox. When I go to All Programs I have a folder for Mozilla Firefox, and the folder contains two entries: Mozilla Firefox and Mozilla Firefox (Safe Mode). When you use the save mode start, it should start up without any add-ons, etc, allowing you to go in and get rid of anything that is causing problems.

Do you have that option available to you, and if so, have you tried it?